Minimal seemed fitted garment

ABSTRACT

Garments that utilize complex panel shapes to minimize the to number of panels used, the number of seams, and total seam length. Increasing the complexity of panel shapes tends to make the cutting of panels more difficult and often results in more wastage of material, but the reduction of the number of panels and reduction in the number of seams and total seam length will actually simplify garment production and result in improved garments. Simplifying garment production will in turn generally result in an increase in the rate of production. Reducing seam length and the number of seams also reduces the chances of seams wearing out or splitting.

This application claims the benefit of Australian provisional patentapplication number PS2796 filed on Jun. 5, 2002 incorporated herein byreference in its entirety.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fitted garments of the typeintended to closely conform to the shape of a wearer's body. Theinvention also relates to methods of fabricating such garments.

The invention has particular application to the production of wetsuitsfor use in water sports such as surfing, sailboard riding, water skiing,diving, swimming or other similar activities. However, the invention isnot limited to this particular application and may be employed in othertypes of fitted garments.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Fitted garments are garments of the type that closely conforms to theshape of the wearer's body. A wetsuit is one example of such a garmentwherein a snug fit of the garment assists in creating a thin layer ofwater between the fabric of the garment and the skin of the body. Thisthin layer of water forms a major part of the insulation provided by thewetsuit. It is therefore advantageous that no additional water entersthe wetsuit once the initial layer has been established and has beenwarmed by the body.

Fitted garments such as wetsuits are fabricated from a plurality ofpanels that are joined together at seams that are sewn and, optionally,glued. A pattern incorporating a plurality of panels of varying shapesand sizes is used to produce a wetsuit or other garment that is“sculptured” to closely conform to the shape of a wearer's body. As aresult of the garment conforming to the shape of a wearer's body, thedifferent parts of a garment will often be referred to as if they werefilled by and/or were part of a wearer's body. Thus, the “elbow” or“elbow section” of a garment will be the portion of the garment thatwould be adjacent to the elbow of a wearer if the garment was beingworn. This nomenclature is often applied to panels as well, even if thepanels are not yet actually part of a garment, and even if the panelsare laid out flat on a supporting surface such as a table.

Panels, as the term is used herein, typically comprise a single piece ofmaterial cut to a desired pattern that can be made to lay flat on a flatsurface such that no portion of the panel overlaps any other portion ofthe panel. Panel materials may include fabric, but are not necessarilylimited to a woven material. When stretched against a planar surface,panels will generally have significantly more surface area thanthickness (thickness being measured in a direction normal to the planarsurface, and surface area being measured on a surface of the panel thatis closest to being parallel to the planar surface). Panels aregenerally cut from piece goods or yard goods that are sometimes providedas rectangular pieces of material, with multiple, often differentlyshaped, panels, being cut from a single piece in order to minimizewastage of material.

Panels are joined together at seams, where a seam is a portion of thegarment where two or more panels are coupled together. Various methodsof fastening together panels to form a garment are well known and neednot therefore be described herein. However, it is probably worth notingthat, particularly in regard to wetsuits, seams typically incorporate“flat locking”, “overlocking”, “glued and blind stitching” and/or “heattape sealing” techniques. These techniques are commonly used in thetrade and need not therefore be explained herein in further detail.Whilst the seams are in general strong and reliable, they aresusceptible to wear and damage with extended use of the wetsuit. Theseams are also a source of water entry into the wetsuit and this factorcan significantly reduce the effectiveness of the wetsuit in keeping thewearer warm.

Garments generally comprise multiple types of panels. Of particularinterest herein are exterior covering panels. These panels are thepanels of a garment that typically are (a) used to cover undergarments,interior panels, or portions of a wearer's body, and (b) to form anexterior surface of the garment. In garments having simpler exteriors,such as wetsuits, the exterior covering panels form a majority if notall of the exterior surface of the garment Other garment panels mayinclude those used to form pockets, flaps, and liners, or those used toform exterior frills or decorations. Athough the term “panels” generallycovers all types of panels, it is used herein below to describe onlyexterior covering panels. Similarly, although seams are used to join alltypes of panels, the term “seams” is used herein below to describeexterior covering seams, i.e. seams joining exterior covering panels toeach other.

Some garments utilize “darts” (generally tapered folds) to adjust thefit of a garment. Such a dart typically comprises joining two or morepoints of a single panel together if they were part of edges of separatepanels being seamed together. Unfortunately, traditional darts tend tobecome problematic as the thickness of the material of a panel increasesas the folded portions of the panel tend to interfere with properfitting of the garment.

Many fabrics used in garment production are well know and need nottherefore be described in detail herein. However, it is worth notingthat typical fabrics used in the fabrication of wetsuits include nylon,spandex, polyolefin, or combinations of these materials, which have beenbonded to a neoprene (non-fibrous rubber) insulative layer. Variousthicknesses of fabric are employed depending on the temperature ratingof the wetsuit. These materials are in general flexible and stretchableso as to allow free movement of the wearer. This is important in awetsuit intended for vigorous activity such as surfing. Whilst thetechniques employed to create the seams of a wetsuit also provideflexibility and stretchability, the seams are often not as flexible asthe fabric being joined.

Modern wetsuits primarily intended for surfing are sometimes providedwith bends at the elbows and knees so as to more accurately correspondto a normal position of the arms and legs of the wearer when lying uponor standing on a surfboard. Whilst this is an advantage to the wearer itdoes mean that the wetsuit must include additional panels of appropriateshape and size such that, when joined together, they form the desiredthree dimensional body shape and the desired angle at the elbows andknees.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the present invention is to produce garments thatutilize complex panel shapes to minimize the total number of panelsused, the number of seams, and total seam length. It is contemplatedthat, although increasing the complexity of panel shapes tends to makethe cutting of panels more difficult and often results in more wastageof material, the reduction of the number of panels and reduction in thenumber of seams and total seam length will actually simplify garmentproduction and result in improved garments. Simplifying garmentproduction will in turn generally result in an increase in the rate ofproduction. Reducing seam length and the number of seams also reducesthe chances of seams wearing out or splitting.

One type of garment that is improved by panel and seam reduction is awetsuit. Wetsuits having reduced panel numbers and seam length willgenerally keep a surfer warmer and more comfortable and flexible thanexisting wetsuits. Reduced seem length will reduce water entry into thesuit and the reduction in water entry increases surfer warmth.

To a large extent, wetsuits are used herein to described the claimedinvention as the lack of frills and other exterior decorations onwetsuits make them well suited for illustrating various aspects ofgarments. However, the aspects of the invention are generally applicableto garments in general, and not only to westuits.

One aspect of the present invention provides a fitted garment includinga first panel of fabric having a torso section which is shaped tosubstantially surround the waist region of a wearer's body and which hasupper portions configured to extend outwardly in the finished (havingall its panels sewn together) garment to an underarm region of the bodysuch that no seams are present within the armpit region of the body. Awetsuit produced in accordance with this aspect of the present inventionminimizes the seams which are necessary around the waist region of thebody and avoids seams altogether within the armpit region of the body.These features provide major advantages in terms of warmth and comfort.

In one embodiment, the first panel of the garment also includes legsections integrally formed with the torso section. In this way, thenumber of seams in the garment is further minimized. Preferably, eachleg section is configured to substantially surround at least an upperportion of a leg of the body. However, the leg sections may enclose thewhole leg down to the ankle.

In a preferred embodiment the garment includes a second panel joined tothe first panel and having at least a first arm section and a firstupper back section formed integrally therewith. The first arm sectionmay form a sleeve for the garment, either short or long, and the firstupper back section is preferably configured to extend across at least aportion of the upper back of the body. A third panel having a second armsection and a second upper back section formed integrally therewith mayalso be joined to the first panel. The second arm section preferablyforms a second sleeve, either short or long, and the second upper backsection is preferably configured to extend across at least a portion ofthe upper back of the body and may meet the first upper back sectionadjacent a spinal region of the body. A zipper may be provided betweenthe first and second upper back sections to enable the wearer to easilystep into or out of the garment when the zipper is down, i.e. unzipped.The position and function of the zipper may be similar to that ofconventional wetsuits.

In an alternative preferred form of the garment a second panel may bejoined to the first panel and include integrally formed arm sections,upper back sections and a chest section. In this form of the finishedgarment the arm sections form a pair of sleeves, the upper back sectionsextend between the sleeves across the upper back of the body to meet ata spinal region thereof, and the chest section extends between thesleeves across a chest region of the body. In this way, the number ofseams in the garment are further reduced, thereby further improving theinsulative properties, comfort and flexibility of the garment.

Another aspect of the invention provides a fitted garment including legsections being configured to closely conform to the shape of a humanbody wherein each leg section is made of a single panel of fabric andincludes a dart which in the finished garment begins at a seam on aninner knee region of the body and terminates at an outside calf region.A “dart”, as the term is used herein is similar to a traditional dart inthat portions of a single panel are joined together. However, theportions joined are not separated by a fold in the panel, but insteadare formed by joining edges of a single panel together. As such, panelsthat are to be shaped by darts will have regions separating points to bejoined together removed such that the points to be joined fall on ornear two or more edges of the panel. Such edges will often form oppositesides of a gap in the panel when the panel is stretched against a flatsurface. Darts are generally described herein in regard to the portionson the panel at the ends of the dart and possibly along the length ofthe dart. Since the removed region corresponding to each dart may bedescribed in the same fashion, any descriptions as to the location ofdarts will also apply be applicable the corresponding dart gap/removedregion.

The leg sections of such a garment more closely conform to the shape ofa human body by using a dart in the region of the knee and calf.Preferably, the dart, and the corresponding removed region, extends fromthe inner knee region, over the front of the knee and down the outsideof the calf. This assists in creating a desired three-dimensional shapefor the garment.

A garment according to this aspect of the invention may also employ sucha dart to create a bend at a knee region of the leg such that the thighsection forms an angle to the calf/shin section. In this way, the legsections of the garment can be fabricated to more closely reflect theusual position of a surfer's legs without the need to introduceadditional panels into the leg sections of the garment.

A further aspect of the invention provides a fitted garment having apair of sleeves configured to closely conform to the shape of a humanbody and having a bend at an elbow region thereof such that a forearmsection of the sleeve forms an angle to an upper arm section of thesleeve, wherein each sleeve is made of a single panel of fabric and saidbend is provided in part by a dart which in the finished garment beginsat a seam located at an upper rear side of the upper arm section andterminates adjacent the elbow region.

A garment made according to this aspect of the invention includessleeves which can more accurately reflect the shape and usual positionof the arm whilst, at the same time, avoiding the need for additionalpanels of fabric and the necessary seams associated therewith.

A still further aspect of the invention provides a method of fabricatinga fitted garment including the steps of cutting from a piece of fabric afirst panel having a torso section which is adapted to substantiallysurround the waist region of a wearer's body and which has upperportions configured to extend outwardly in the finished garment to anunderarm region of the body such that no seams are present within thearmpit region of the body garment shape.

Preferably, the first panel also includes leg sections integrally formedwith the torso section. Each leg section is preferably configured tosubstantially surround at least an upper portion of a leg of the body.

A preferred embodiment of the method includes steps of cutting from apiece of fabric a second panel having an arm section and an upper backsection formed integrally therewith and, then, joining the second panelto the first panel such that the arm section forms a sleeve and theupper back section extends across at least a portion of the upper backof the body. Any suitable means for joining the first panel to thesecond panel may be employed such as, for example, “flat locking”,“glued and blind stitching” or any other suitable technique.

In an alternative preferred embodiment the method includes steps ofcutting from a piece of fabric a second panel having arm sections, upperback sections and a chest section and, then, joining the second panel tothe first panel such that the arm sections form a pair of sleeves, theupper back sections extend between the sleeves across the upper back ofthe body to meet at a spinal region thereof and the chest sectionextends between the sleeves across a chest region of the body.

In developing the garment of the present invention, the inventor hasgone against conventional thinking and has disregarded economical fabricyield so as to have less seams. In doing so a wetsuit has been createdhaving better function, being warmer, less chance of water entry, lesschance of wear due to less seams to stress, and less chance of need forrepairs. Whilst a wetsuit produced in accordance with the presentinvention will require more fabric, thereby increasing the cost, thiscost increase will be offset by a quicker manufacturing process, in thatthere is less cutting and less sewing. There is the same amount offabric in a wetsuit made in accordance with the present invention asthere is in any other suit but there would be more waste due to theunique pattern which keeps the suit relatively in one piece.

A wetsuit made in accordance with the present invention may also beslightly lighter than a conventional wetsuit because of the reducedamount of glue and thread used in the reduced length of seams in thesuit. By way of example, a medium sized wetsuit produced in accordancewith the preferred embodiment of the present invention has 22′ 2.5″ ofseams compared to the applicant's current “MX” series suit having 45feet of seams and a Ripcurl “Elasto” suit having about 34 feet of seams.

It is contemplated that garments in accordance with the presentinvention will generally have reduced total seam lengths. In regard towetsuits, it is contemplated that embodiments will generally have a seemlength of less than 31 feet for small full length suits, less than 32feet for medium full length suits, and less than 35 feet for large fulllength suits. It is contemplated that preferred wetsuits will have atotal seam length of less than 26 feet for small full length suits, lessthan 27 feet for medium full length suits, and less than 29 feet forlarge full length suits. It is contemplated that still more preferredwetsuits will have a total seam length of approximately 21′ 2.5″ forextra-small full length suits, 21′ 8.5″ for small full length suits, 22′2.5″ for medium full length suits, 22′ 9.5″ for large full length suits,23′ 4.5″ for extra-large full length suits, and 24′ for XXL full lengthsuits, and 24′ 7.5″ for XXXL full length suits.

The term “full length” is used herein to describe a suit that covers amajority of a wearers arms and extends to the wearer's wrist, and alsocovers a majority of a wearer's legs and extends to the wearer's ankles.Suits having shorter arms and/or legs will generally havecorrespondingly reduced total seam lengths. The term “small” is usedherein to describe suits that are sized to fit a wearer who isapproximately 5′ 9″ tall and weighs 145 lbs. The term “medium” is usedherein to describe suits that are sized to fit a wearer who isapproximately 5′ 10″ tall and weights 160 lbs. The term “large” is usedherein to describe suits that are sized to fit a wearer who isapproximately 5′ 11″ tall and weighs 180 lbs.

The garment of the present invention also lends itself to newgraphic/logo and printing opportunities, having fewer seams and thuslarger continuous fabric surface area with no seams in the way.

It is contemplated that garments in accordance with the presentinvention may be designed using a method in which minimum total seamlength takes precedence over the complexity of individual panels or theamount of material used for each panel, and the amount of materialwasted when cutting a panel.

To assist the further understanding of the invention, reference is nowmade to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodimentsof the present invention. It is to be appreciated that these embodimentsare given by way of illustration only and the invention is not to belimited by this illustration.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 shows a pattern used to make the applicant's existing “MX” serieswetsuit;

FIG. 2 shows a pattern used to make a full body wetsuit in accordancewith a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 3A to 3C show front, back and side views, respectively, of afinished wetsuit made using the pattern shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 shows a pattern used to make a full body wetsuit in accordancewith another preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIGS. 5A to 5C show front, back and side views, respectively, of afinished wetsuit made using the pattern shown in FIG. 4.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows a standard “MX” serieswetsuit made by the applicant. The suit is made up of twenty separatepanels that together form a wetsuit having bent arm and leg sections.The suit includes arm panels 10, back panels 12, seat panels 14, lowerleg panels 16, a chest panel 18, front body panel 20, knee panels 22,lower leg panels 24, crotch panel 26, gussets 28, collar 30 and neckpanels 32 and 34. The total length of the seams (as previously noted,exterior covering seams) in a medium sized wetsuit of this type amountsto 45 feet.

Referring now to FIG. 2 and FIGS. 3A to 3C, there is shown a wetsuitproduced according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.This embodiment is made up of seven panels (as previously noted,exterior covering panels). A first panel 38 having a torso section 40 isshaped to surround the waist region of a wearer's body. The two sides42, 42′ of the torso section 40 meet and are joined at a lower spinalregion of the body. The torso section 40 also has upper portions 43,43′, 44, 44′, 45, and 45′ configured to extend outwardly in the finishedgarment (FIGS. 3A to 3C) to an underarm region of the body such that noseams are present within the armpit region of the body. The first panel38 also includes leg sections 46, 46′, 48, 48′ integrally formed withthe torso section 40. Each leg section is configured to surround a legof the body. Each leg section includes a dart which begins at a seam 52,52′ on an inner knee region of the body and which terminates 50, 50′ atan outside calf region of the body. It can be seen from FIGS. 3A to 3Cthat the dart extends from the inner knee region, over the front of theknee and down the outside of the calf.

As can be seen from the figures, the wetsuit of FIGS. 2 and 3A-3C hasplurality of panels seamed together but does not have any seamspositioned in the underarm area of the suit, and does not include anyside or underarm gussets.

The garment also includes a second panel 54 (FIG. 2) having a first armsection 56 and an upper back section 58. A third panel 60 has a secondarm section 56′ and a second upper back section 58′. The upper backsections 58 and 58′ of the second and third panels meet at a zipper 62in the spinal region. The arm sections 56, 56′ form a pair of sleevesthat are configured to closely conform to the shape of the wearer'sbody. Each sleeve has a bend at an elbow region thereof such that theforearm section forms an angle to the upper arm section. This bend atthe elbow is provided, at least in part, by a dart which begins 62 at aseam located at an upper rear side of the upper arm section andterminates 64 adjacent the elbow region.

A chest panel 66 is joined to the first panel 38 and extends between thesecond and third panels 54, 60. The shape and configuration of the upperportions 43, 43′ of the torso section 40, together with the shape andconfiguration of the chest region 66, may be varied to achieve arequired three-dimensional garment shape.

Finally, a crotch panel 68, front neck panel 70 and back neck panel 72complete the wetsuit.

The total length of seams in a medium sized wetsuit produced accordingto this embodiment of the invention would be about 21 feet. This issignificantly less than the 45 feet of seams present in the applicant'scurrent “MX” series wetsuit shown in FIG. 1.

Referring now to FIG. 4 and FIGS. 5A to 5C, there is shown another, morepreferred, embodiment of the present invention. Similar referencenumerals are used in these figures as used in FIGS. 2 and 3 to 3A torefer to similar parts, sections and panels of the wetsuit. The maindifference in this embodiment is that the arm and chest sections of theprevious embodiment have been formed from a single piece of fabric suchthat there are only two major panels present in this embodiment. Infact, there are only five panels present in the complete wetsuit.

In this embodiment the first panel 38 has a torso section 40 which isshaped to surround the waist region of a wearer's body. The torsosection 40 has upper portions 43, 43′, 44, 44′, 45, 45′ configured toextend outwardly in the finished garment to an underarm region of thebody such that no seams are present within the armpit region of thebody. A second panel 78 includes integrally formed arm sections 56, 56′,upper back sections 58, 58′ and a chest section 66. The arm sections 56,56′ form a pair of sleeves, the upper back sections extend across theback of the body and meet at a zipper 62, and the chest section 66extends between the sleeves across a chest region of the body.

As in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 2 and 3A to 3C, the wetsuit of FIGS.4 and 5A to 5C includes darts in the arm and leg sections so as toproduce the required shaping conforming to the wearer's body and thedesired angle at the elbows and knee joints. It will be appreciated thatthe shape and size of these darts may be varied as required to producethe desired shaping and elbow/knee joint angles.

A medium sized wetsuit produced according to this embodiment of theinvention has about 17 feet of seams, thus further reducing thelikelihood of water entering the wetsuit via the seams and reducing thesusceptibility of the seams to wear and damage.

Although preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein indetail, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvariations may be made thereto without departing from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the appended claims.

For example, the shape, length and position of the darts may be variedas required to produce a garment, such as a wetsuit, having a desiredthree dimensional body shape and desired angles at the elbows and knees.The depth of the chest piece may also be varied as can be seen bycomparing the embodiments depicted at FIG. 3A and FIG. 5A. It will alsobe appreciated that the wetsuit could be produced having short sleevesand legs, and such a wetsuit, although not incorporating all aspects ofthe present invention, would still utilise some aspects thereof. Such awetsuit is considered to clearly fall within the scope of the presentinvention.

1. A fitted garment including a first panel of fabric having a torsosection which is shaped to substantially surround the waist region of awearer's body and which has upper portions configured to extendoutwardly in the finished garment to an underarm region of the body suchthat no seams are present within the armpit region of the body.
 2. Afitted garment according to claim 1 wherein the first panel alsoincludes leg sections integrally formed with the torso section, andwherein each leg section is configured to substantially surround atleast an upper portion of a leg of the body.
 3. A fitted garmentaccording to claim 1 further including a second panel joined to thefirst panel and having a first arm section and a first upper backsection, wherein the first arm section forms a sleeve and the firstupper back section is configured to extend across at least a portion ofthe upper back of the body.
 4. A fitted garment according to claim 3further including a third panel joined to the first panel and having asecond arm section and a second upper back section, wherein the secondarm section forms a second sleeve and the second upper back section isconfigured to extend across at least a portion of the upper back of thebody and meet the first upper back section adjacent a spinal region ofthe body.
 5. A fitted garment according to claim 1, further including asecond panel joined to the first panel and having integrally formed armsections, upper back sections and a chest section, wherein in thefinished garment the arm sections form a pair of sleeves, the upper backsections extend between the sleeves across the upper back of the body tomeet at a spinal region thereof and the chest section extends betweenthe sleeves across a chest region of the body.
 6. A fitted garmentaccording to claim 2, wherein each leg section includes a dart which inthe finished garment begins at a seam on an inner knee region of thebody and terminates at an outside calf region.
 7. A fitted garmentaccording to claim 6 wherein a seam extends from the crotch, down theinner thigh region and said knee region, and along a rear portion ofsaid calf region to the ankle.
 8. A fitted garment according to claim 7wherein the dart extends from the inner knee region, over the front ofthe knee and down the outside of the calf.
 9. A fitted garment accordingto claim 3 wherein each sleeve has a bend at an elbow region thereofsuch that a forearm section of the sleeve forms an angle to an upper armsection of the sleeve, and wherein said bend is provided in part by adart which in the finished garment begins at a seam located at an upperrear side of the upper arm section and terminates adjacent the elbowregion.
 10. A fitted garment including leg sections being configured toclosely conform to the shape of a human body wherein each leg section ismade of a single panel of fabric and includes a dart which in thefinished garment begins at a seam on an inner knee region of the bodyand terminates at an outside calf region.
 11. A fitted garment accordingto claim 10 wherein a seam extends from the crotch, down the inner thighregion and said knee region, and along a rear portion of said calfregion to the ankle.
 12. A fitted garment according to claim 10 whereinthe dart extends from the inner knee region, over the front of the kneeand down the outside of the calf.
 13. A fitted garment having a pair ofsleeves configured to closely conform to the shape of a human body andhaving a bend at an elbow region thereof such that a forearm section ofthe sleeve forms an angle to an upper arm section of the sleeve, whereineach sleeve is made of a single panel of fabric and said bend isprovided in part by a dart which in the finished garment begins at aseam located at an upper rear side of the upper arm section andterminates adjacent the elbow region.
 14. A fitted garment according toclaim 13 wherein both sleeves are made from a single piece of fabrictogether with a chest section and upper back sections of the garment.15. A fitted garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is awetsuit.
 16. A fitted garment according to claim 10, wherein the garmentis a wetsuit.
 17. A fitted garment according to claim 13, wherein thegarment is a wetsuit.
 18. A fitted garment adapted to be worn on awearer's torso and to cover at least the waist, an armpit, and a portionof an arm of the wearer, the garment comprising a plurality of separatepanels, and a plurality of seams where the panels are joined together,wherein: the garment comprises an armpit portion formed from a singlepanel, the panel covering the wearer's armpit, and at least portions ofthe wearer's arm and waist.
 19. The garment of claim 18 wherein thepanel is also adapted to cover a portion of a leg of the wearer.
 20. Awetsuit comprising a plurality of panels joined together at a pluralityof seams, the seams having a total length of less than 32 feet.
 21. Thewetsuit of claim 20 wherein the seams have a total length of less than27 feet.
 22. The wetsuit of claim 20 wherein the seams have a totallength between 20′ and 25′.
 23. A westuit comprising a plurality ofpanels seamed together wherein the wetsuit does not have any seamspositioned in the underarm area of the suit, and the suit does notinclude side or underarm gussets.
 24. A wetsuit comprising a pluralityof panels joined together wherein the total number of panels used toform the torso portion of the suit, excluding any dedicated neck panels,is less than or equal to
 5. 25. The wetsuit of claim 24 wherein thenumber of panels is
 3. 26. A method of fabricating a fitted garmentincluding the steps of cutting from a piece of fabric a first panelhaving a torso section which is adapted to substantially surround thewaist region of a wearer's body and which has upper portions configuredto extend in the finished garment to an underarm region of the body suchthat no seams are present within the armpit region of the body.
 27. Amethod according to claim 26, wherein the first panel also includes legsections integrally formed with the torso section, and wherein each legsection is configured to substantially surround at least an upperportion of a leg of the body.
 28. A method according to claim 26 furtherincluding the steps of: a) cutting from a piece of fabric a second panelhaving an arm section and an upper back section formed integrallytherewith; and b) joining the second panel to the first panel such thatthe arm section forms a sleeve and the upper back section extends acrossat least a portion of the upper back of the body.
 29. A method accordingto claim 28 further including the step of: a) cutting from a piece offabric a second panel having arm sections, upper back sections and achest section; and b) joining the second panel to the first panel suchthat the arm sections form a pair of sleeves, the upper back sectionsextend between the sleeves across the upper back of the body to meet ata spinal region thereof and the chest section extends between thesleeves across a chest region of the body.